Man suspected in South Bay robberies arrested following police pursuit

A man suspected of robbing victims at gunpoint in the South Bay this week was arrested after leading police on a brief pursuit through Hawthorne and portions of Los Angeles County, authorities said.

Christopher Deshon Hunter, 30, fled from police on foot Wednesday after he crashed his Ford Mustang convertible near the intersection of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue near unincorporated Athens, said Hawthorne police Lt. Scott Swain.

He was found hiding under a van a short time later.

Hunter is suspected of robbing a 50-year-old female victim at gunpoint around 8:05 p.m. in the parking lot of an El Pollo Loco on South Ocean Gate Avenue in Hawthorne, Swain said.

Hunter approached the woman as she entered her vehicle in the parking lot and stole her purse, Swain added. She was not injured.

Earlier in the day, Hunter allegedly stole a cellphone from a victim in Manhattan Beach and a purse from another victim in Norwalk, Swain said.

Witnesses to the Hawthorne robbery gave responding officers a description of Hunter and his Mustang. The vehicle was spotted several minutes later by patrol officers near 132nd Street and Hawthorne Boulevard.

"He had basically just left," Swain said. "As soon as they put out the broadcast, an officer saw him."

Police attempted to pull the vehicle over. But Hunter took off, leading police on a four-minute pursuit through Hawthorne and the neighboring county area.

After he crashed his Mustang into another vehicle, police set up a containment area around Imperial and Normandie.

Police found Hunter hiding under a van parked near the South Los Angeles sheriff's station, Swain said.

Hunter was arrested just before midnight.

Hawthorne police were assisted by surrounding police agencies, including the Sheriff's Department.

After Hunter was arrested, police found a large caliber automatic pistol in his vehicle, along with a purse allegedly from the earlier robbery in Norwalk, Swain said.

A cellphone allegedly from the Manhattan Beach robbery was found in Hunter's pocket.

Hunter's last known address was in Paramount, but family members indicated he had not been home for some time, Swain said.

"It appears he may have been living out of his car recently," Swain said. "There were a lot of clothes in there."

Hunter was booked on felony counts of robbery, evading police and carrying a loaded firearm. He is being held at the Hawthorne police jail. Bail was set at $100,000.